Tackling The Tight End
(Long Pass Chronicles Series, #3)
By Tara Lain
Blurb:
Everyone wants the best for SCU student and tight end, Raven Nez—and they know exactly what that is. Enter the NFL draft, become a big football hero, promote his tribe’s casino, and make a lot of money to help people on the reservation. Just one problem. Raven really wants to work with gay kids, and while he loves his tribe and likes football, his visions for the future don’t mesh with theirs. Then the casino board hires a talented student filmmaker to create ads for the tribal business and asks Raven to work with him. But the filmmaker is Dennis Hascomb, a guy with so much to hide and a life so ugly it’s beyond Raven’s understanding. Still he’s drawn to Dennis’s pain and incredible ability to survive. Captivated by Raven’s stories of the two-spirited and by the amazing joy of finally having a friend, Dennis knows he has to break free from everything he’s ever been taught was good—but that’s a struggle that could kill him and Raven, too. Is there a chance for “the great red hope” and the “whitest guy on earth”? A future for the serpent and the raven?
Also available in paperback from Dreamspinner Press
Redeeming the Villain
Hi! I’m Tara Lain. I write the Beautiful Boys of Romance, and today I’m celebrating the release of my new novel, TACKLING THE TIGHT END. In this book I do something I’ve only done once or twice before in my books – I redeem a villain. It’s hard work – but it’s fun!
First let me say that some authors may plan out their series so thoroughly in advance that they know that a villain will later be a hero. I’m not one of those authors. LOL. When a villain steps up and asks for his own romance, I start off skeptical – but I can be persuaded. In Tackling the Tight End, I redeem (I hope) a guy who was really bad in the first book in the series. Interestingly, you don’t have to read book 1 first, because you get to see him being bad in this book, so you understand how far he has to progress to be a real hero.
That’s the thing about villains. While in their villainous deeds, they’re the heroes of their own stories – they aren’t the heroes of ours. So to redeem them, we have to be able to explain why they did the things they did to the reader’s –and the other lover’s – satisfaction. And it better be good! The more horrific we can make the cause, the more heroic the villain can become. Then, of course, the villain has to step up and show his true heroic nature. Once again, the more valorous the better. While a regular old hero may get points for just being cute and funny, a redeemed villain is going to have to impress us more than that.
My redeemed villain in Tackling the Tight End is only 21 years old, so much bad stuff can be laid at the door of his parents – and that’s where it’s piled deep and high in this story. So far, the people who have read the book tell me they love my guy and that his heroism is established. You’ll have to decide for yourself. I hope you enjoy Tackling the Tight End.
“Hi. I’ve been trying to reach you.”
Those blue-green eyes flicked all over the room. “Sorry. I was so busy. When I found I had this short window, I just came here. I figured you’d be tied up, so I didn’t bother you.”
Raven crossed his arms. “What’s going on?”
“What?” Dennis swallowed hard.
“Come on.” Raven took his arm and pulled. Dennis pulled back, but Raven was stronger, and Dennis obviously didn’t want to make a scene, so he walked as if it was his idea. Raven pushed the side door open and half guided, half hauled Dennis out to the smoking patio, where no smokers were currently hanging out. He dropped him in a chair and pulled another one over beside him. “Talk.”
Dennis crossed his arms. “About what, Raven? I don’t have much time, and I need to get some more footage.”
“I don’t care if you never get another inch of video again.”
That got his attention. “What?”
“Two days ago you and I were dissecting Pulp Fiction and planning a video for the Gay Youth Shelter. Now you won’t look me in the eye. What happened?
He shook his head but said nothing.
“Dennis? I’m serious. I’m not going to work with you like this.”
Again he just shook his head, but damn, were those tears?
Raven reached out and touched his hand. Dennis yanked his hand back into his own lap.
“Come on.”
Dennis blinked. “Where?”
“We’re going for a walk.” He extended his hand. Dennis didn’t take it, but he stood. Raven started walking, and Dennis fell in beside him.
The casino stood on a patch of land that abutted a flood control channel. They’d planted bushes and trees in a strip along the channel to make it a pleasant walkway, with benches here and there. Since it was a weekday, nobody was out. Raven ambled quietly for about fifteen minutes. Dennis walked beside him but hardly seemed relaxed. His shoulders bowed, and he stared at his feet. Finally Raven flopped down onto one of the benches. For a couple of minutes Dennis stayed standing, but then he gave in and sat.
Raven picked up a small rock and tossed it. “Want to talk about it?”
Dennis shook his head again.
“Something bad happened.” He didn’t make it a question.
“I guess.”
“Did I offend you in some way?”
His head snapped up. “No. No way, man.”
“But I must be involved somehow, or you wouldn’t be avoiding me.”
“Kind of. I mean, indirectly.”
“Would it make a difference if I said I promise to be discreet? Tell nobody unless you say it’s okay?”
“You know, don’t you?”
Raven shrugged. “No. I’m just thinking about what might be upsetting you.
“I think I’m gay.”
Raven smiled. “Two-spirited.”
Dennis cracked a half grin. “Did you guess that?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Do I look like a fag?”
Raven glanced at him sideways. “Remember who you’re talking to.”
“Sorry. I just thought it might be like a big neon sign on my head or something.”
“No. But I’m not usually attracted to straight men.”
Dennis’s head swung toward Raven in an arc. “Uh, do you, I mean, uh—”
“Am I attracted to you? Yes, very.”
“Holy shit.” The H came out in a long breath.
Raven looked over. “Does that idea appeal to you?”
“I think so.”
Not a ringing endorsement. “So that’s why I thought there was a chance you were gay. I sensed the attraction between us. That’s all.”
“All? Jesus, that’s kind of amazing.”
Better. “So is that why you’ve been avoiding me?”
Dennis nodded. “Kind of. Being gay isn’t really convenient for me.” He laughed, but it didn’t sound funny.
“Have you got a girlfriend?”
“No. Parents.”
“I know about that.”
That look of pain blinked in his eyes and was gone.
“So why do you think you’re gay?”
He frowned. “I thought you said I was.”
Raven grinned. “My word isn’t law on this subject. I just said I thought you might be since I feel a pull between us. But maybe you’re straight and I just think you’re gorgeous.”
Dennis swallowed. “Thank you. I think. I’ve kind of suspected for a while. I don’t much like girls. Like that, I mean. Never have. But I’ve never been with a guy.”
Raven smiled. “Are you asexual, or do you jerk off a lot?”
He looked uncomfortable, but before Raven could tell him not to answer, he said, “I spank the monkey when I can.” He breathed. Weird. Most young guys jerked off all the time. Dennis raised his head. “But I’m not asexual. I’m definitely attracted to guys.”
“Surprised you haven’t done anything about it. I’m sure you’ve had interest.”
The Long Pass Chronicles Series
Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 23. Her bestselling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soulmate husband and her soulmate dog in Laguna Beach, California, a pretty seaside town where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!
I haven’t started on this series yet, but this installment looks to be an incentive to do so: I loved redeeming bad guy/rake/villain and such! *g*
Thanks for the post and chance for the giveaway, Tara! 🙂
dtorini, i had a hard time redeeming Dennis since he’s sooo bad in book 1 — but loved the challenge of doing it. This turned out to be a favorite book of mine. ; )
dtorini, I love this series. I haven’t read this one yet; it’s waiting in my kindle, but I’ve read and loved the other two. And yeah, Dennis is a total jerk in book 1, so be ready 😀
Thank you, Jayce. Hope you love this book too! : )
Loved the blurb, can’t wait to read this.
Thank you, Laurie! *hugs* : )
I’ve read the other two and am looking forward to this one. Great series.
Great review! The other two books in this series were amazing 🙂
I think the blurb and the excerpt are great and can’t wait to read the book.
I LOVE this series!